What are good paint removers for metal?

A:

Quick Answer

The quickest removal of paint from metal involves using a stripper that contains methylene chloride. Environmentally friendly removers do not contain this chemical and take longer to remove the paint. For small metal items that are waterproof, boiling the metal in a solution of baking soda and water is often effective.

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When using methylene chloride-based strippers, the process should take place outside to provide plenty of ventilation. The products require covering the work area in several layers of newspaper and wearing rubber gloves and long-sleeved shirts. The user applies the stripper with a paintbrush. Once the paint starts to bubble, he removes it using a paint scraper or nylon brush, disposing of the paint chips and newspaper and sealing the remaining stripper in the container for storage.

Environmentally friendly strippers are effect for materials that owners cannot move outside for the process. They apply in the same manner the methylene chloride stripper but often take much longer to loosen the paint.

The boiling water method uses baking soda or dishwashing detergent to loosens paint however, this method is only useful for small parts that fit into a pot for heating. A heat gun or torch can also heat paint to break the seal between the paint and the metal for removal.